Impact protection device

ABSTRACT

An impact protection device ( 1 ) for a weapon which is disposed, in use, to surround the barrel of the weapon at least in its muzzle region. The device has material portions which resist in mechanical forces applied against the weapon in these portions so that the portions are deformed. In order to improve the impact absorption and also for purposes of saving material, the impact absorbing part ( 1   a ) is provided with grooves and flanges ( 5 ). The form of the impact-absorbing part is adapted to the form of each respective weapon. Three variations are provided, one for surrounding the barrel of the weapon, another for surrounding a flashguard ( 14 ), and a third for surrounding equipment for firing blank ammunition.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device which reduces the risk ofinjury or damage occurring when a weapon impacts against a human beingor an object.

BACKGROUND

In both military and civilian handling of firearms a large number ofaccidents occur every year in which injury is caused to people or damageto objects. In the handling of handguns it also happens that, forexample, personal injury occurs when teeth are damaged or knocked out,because someone strikes the barrel of the weapon. Such accidents occuron many different occasions, for example in troop transport. In suchtransport, it is common that the soldiers sit with the weapon in frontof them and support the butt of the weapon against the floor. In suchinstance, the barrel of the weapon is at face height. When the vehiclebumps and shakes while moving, there is a risk that the barrel of theweapon strike some part of the body. On such occasions, facial injuriesand injuries to other parts of the body are unfortunately not uncommon.

Also on other occasions, for example on manoeuvres, on embarking ordisembarking from means of transport etc., a soldier may be injured byhis own weapon or his comrade's weapon. Material, which, for example,accompanies such transport may be damaged when the barrel of a weaponstrikes the material.

It is obvious that there is a need for a device which reduces the riskof damage and injury of the above-type.

As regards military weapons, there is a need that the device can beemployed regardless of whether the weapon is used for shooting with liveor blank ammunition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a device which satisfies theabove needs. Hereafter the designation impact protection device willgenerally be employed for the device according to the invention.

The impact protection device according to the present invention is of adesign and includes parts which consist of material which is deformedwhen the weapon strikes against something. As a rule, the impactprotection device is designed such that the portions which are deformedconsist of a material which reassumes its original form once thedeforming forces aimed at the impact protection device have ceased.

As a result of the capability of the impact protection device to absorbimpact and jolts, the risk is reduced that a person be injured or anobject be damaged when a weapon with a mounted impact protection devicestrikes with its muzzle against the person or the object. Naturally, therisk that the weapon itself be damaged is also reduced.

Further objects and features of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described further with the aid of embodimentsshown in the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawing:

FIG. 1 is a cross-section through an impact protection device accordingto the present invention mounted on the flashguard of a weapon;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section through the impact protection device accordingto FIG. 1 in another configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bracket which is included in theimpact protection device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an impact protector which forms part of an impactprotection device according to FIG. 1 seen from the rear;

FIG. 5 shows a brace which is included in the impact protection deviceaccording to FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section through one embodiment of the impactprotection device and a blank fire arrangement on which the impactprotection device is placed;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section corresponding to that of FIG. 6 turnedthrough 90° in relation to the longitudinal section in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation of a part which is included in the impactprotection device according to FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative version of a bracketaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevation, partly in section, of an alternativeversion of a combination of impact protector and brace included in thedevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-5 show one embodiment of an impact protection device 1. In theillustrated embodiment, the device includes an impact protector 1 awhich is manufactured from an elastic material, for example athermoplastic, a rubber material etc. By the intermediary of a brace 3of elastic material, for example, rubber, the impact protector isconnected to a bracket 2. In FIGS. 1-5, the impact protection device isshown as applied on a flash protector 14, hereinafter generallydesignated flashguard 14. The flashguard is shown in the Figs. in oneembodiment intended to be employed together with a weapon designated Ak5 (automatic carbine). In use, the flashguard, which is designed tosurround the barrel of the weapon when firing, is placed on the frontregion of the barrel (not shown) of the weapon. The embodiment of theimpact protection device shown in the figures is intended to be employedon weapons which are made ready for firing with live ammunition.

A person skilled in the art will realize that the exact configuration ofthe impact protection device is adapted to the shape of the weapon inquestion or the flashguard in question, at the same time as the basicfeatures of the impact protection device remain the same.

The impact protect 1 has, in the illustrated embodiment, an outersurface provided with grooves 5 a surrounded by flanges 5 b in order toimprove the capability of the device to absorb impact, i.e. as a rule tobe temporarily deformed in order to absorb impacts and jolts. In otherembodiments, the outer surface is smooth, in which event the material iselastic and its thickness is sufficient to absorb impact. Designing theimpact protector 1 a with grooves is a materials saving measure comparedwith an impact protector with a smooth surface. A distance from the oneend region of the impact protector, hereafter referred to as the bottomend portion 15 of the impact protector, a stop member 4 is disposed,which entails that the bottom 150 of the impact protector will, onapplication of the impact protector, be located a distance from themuzzle of the flashguard 14. As a result, the bottom end portion forms a“deformation zone” ahead of the muzzle, the deformation zone absorbingimpact from the weapon from the front.

It will be apparent from FIG. 4 that the impact protector 1 a has tworecesses 13 on the inside of the impact protector, which formprojections 9 on the outside of the impact protector and which aredisposed in register with one another. The tension with the recesses 13is to be able to facilitate application and removal of the impactprotector 1 a by pressing on the projections 9. When the projections aredepressed, the cross-section of the impact protector changes itsconfiguration so that the impact protector will be easier to mount on ordismount from the flashguard 14. Learning a reliable technique ofapplying or dismounting the impact protector is facilitated by theplacing of the projection on the outside of the impact protector and bythe fact that the simplest way of mounting and dismounting the impactprotector is to use the above-described technique. What is to be avoidedabove all is that anyone places a hand on the bottom of the impactprotector and attempts to force it in place on the flashguard. This is adangerous operation since a shot fired inadvertently will pass throughthe hand.

On its inside, the impact protector 1 is provided with a number ofrigidifying lands 17. In the end portion of the impact protector whichis opposed to the bottom end portion 15, the lands 17 are bevelled atthe muzzle of the impact protector in order to facilitate mounting inplace of the impact protector. As a rule, the lands are locatedsubstantially at right angles to the bottom 150. When the impactprotector is applied on the flashguard, the lands are orientedsubstantially parallel with the longitudinal direction of the barrel ofthe weapon. While the lands 17 shown in FIG. 4 are disposed in thelongitudinal direction of the impact protector, in other embodimentsthey make an angle with the longitudinal direction of the barrel. In yetfurther embodiments, there are no lands at all.

In the illustrated embodiment, the impact protector 1 a moreover servesthe function of a muzzle guard. Each year, a number of accidents occurwith hand firearms depending upon the fact that the bore is notcompletely clean when a shot is fired. What is blocking the bore isoften material, snow, etc which has entered from outside into the boreas a result of careless handling on, for example, transport of theweapon. If a shot is fired, the blockage in the barrel of the gun willcause increase of pressure in the barrel which, in the worst casescenario, will burst. The pressure increase may also result in a fireplume striking the marksman's face.

The function of the muzzle guard is partly to prevent foreign matterfrom entering the barrel, and partly to prevent injurious pressure frombuilding up. For this function, the bottom 150 of the impact protector 1a is generally formed as a membrane. The membrane is of lesser thicknessthan the remaining material of the impact protector. The thickness ofthe membrane is selected such that the membrane ruptures before harmfulpressure has built up in the barrel if a shot is fired by mistake withthe muzzle guard mounted in place. The intention is, naturally, toremove the impact protector before the gun is fired, in which event theimpact protector can be hung on the bracket 2 as shown in FIG. 2. Incertain embodiments, indications of fracture are provided in the form ofgrooves, and in others the membrane is of a thickness which decreasestowards its centre.

The bracket 2 which is included in the embodiment of the impactprotection device 1 shown in the figures has an arcuate portion 8 whichis intended to be secured around the flashguard 14 by being clamped inplace as a snap coupling. The bracket 2 is manufactured from aheat-resistant material, which withstands the temperature which theflashguard may reach in the event of automatic fire. The bracket 2 ismoreover provided with a hook 7 which displays a through-going,keyhole-shaped aperture 16 in that part of the bracket which faces awayfrom the flashguard. Furthest out on the hook 7 there is, on certainembodiments, a ridge 10 which improves the retention of the impactprotector 1 a.

The brace 3 of elastic material, for example rubber, is press/fitconnected in its one end in the aperture 16 in the bracket 2, while theother end of the brace 3 is secured in an aperture 6 disposed on aprojecting portion of the impact protector 1 a. By stretching the bracein order to reduce its diameter and pressing its one end portion 32 intothe narrower part of the keyhole-shaped aperture 16, the brace 3 issecured to the bracket 2. Prior to this, the brace 3 has been passed inthrough the aperture 6 in the impact protector 1 a. The head 31 of thebrace 3 is overdimensioned which prevents it passing through theaperture 6. The projecting portion of the impact protector 1 a will beclamped between the head 31 and the suitably provided flange 33 in thebrace.

When firing with live ammunition, the impact protector 1 a is removed bypressing on the projections 9 and sliding off the impact protector. Theimpact protector 1 a is then suspended on the hook 7 as shown in FIG. 2,the weapon being ready for action. By the form and placing of thebrackets 2 and the impact protector 1 a it will be a natural and simplemovement to remove the protector 1 a and suspend it in the bracket 2,and vice versa. Thanks to the brace 3, the impact protector 1 a will notbe dropped even if it comes loose from the hook 7. The protector 1 a issimple to mount in place and dismount even in darkness, thanks to theprojections 9. A person skilled in the art will perceive that the brace3 and its securing in the various parts may be put into effect in otherways in other embodiments and that the figures show but one example ofhow this may be done. Even when the impact protector 1 a is suspended inthe bracket 2, impact damping is afforded in one direction.

In one alternative embodiment of the impact protection device 1 use ismade of the impact protector 1 a alone, i.e. without the bracket 2. Theimpact protector 1 a is, in this instance, stored in another manner thanthat described above when it is not mounted on the barrel of thefirearm.

When firing with blank ammunition, the impact protection device 1intended for firing with live ammunition is removed by snapping off thebracket 2 from the flashguard 14. As a result of the design andconstruction of the impact protection device, the device is still heldtogether as a unit.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show an alternative embodiment of the impact protectiondevice. In FIG. 9, the bracket 30 is shown in one embodiment whichdiffers from the bracket 2 described above in three respects. First, thecorners 44 of the arcuate portion 8 are rounded and/or the edge betweenthe corners is rounded (not shown in the figure), secondly, the insideof the arcuate portion 8 has been provided with a rib 39, and thirdlythe keyhole-shaped aperture has been replaced by elongate aperture orelongate gap 38.

The intention with the rounded corners is that the bracket 30 be easierto mount on and dismount from the flashguard 14. In order to counteractthe risk that the bracket 30 is less secure in place because of therounded corners, the inner side of the arcuate portion 8 is providedwith a longitudinal rib 39. The rib 39 intimated in FIG. 9, results inthe arcuate portion 8 of the bracket 30 being clamped harder against theflashguard 14.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the brace 41 constitutes anintegrated part of the impact protector 1 a made of elastic material,for example rubber. Normally, the. brace 41 is thus formedsimultaneously with the impact protector 1 a. In other embodiments, thebrace 41 is formed as a separate part which, with the aid of welding,gluing, etc, is secured to the impact protector 1 a in the normalmanner.

In the formation of the brace 41, it is provided at its free end with anupwardly curved and relatively configurationly stable portion 43 whichterminates with a head 42. The performing of the brace 41 with itsupwardly curved portion 43 entails that the brace 41 runs freely in thelongitudinal gap 38 of the bracket 30. Normally, the length of the brace41 is adapted such that the impact protector 1 a does not come loosefrom the flashguard 14 until the impact protector 1 a is pulled by handforwards and thereby stretches out the elastic brace 41.

In yet a further alternative detailed design (not shown) the flanges 40of the impact protector 1 a which are located furthest back (the flangeis located on the end opposite to the bottom of the impact protector)are provided with a recess which fits around the curved portion of thehook 7. As a result, it is possible to move the impact protector 1 afurther in on the hook 7, which in turn entails that the impactprotector is better fixed on the hook.

A person skilled in the art will perceive that the detailed minor formswhich vary between the embodiments may be combined in a number ofdifferent ways.

When firing with blank ammunition and using the weapon Automatic CarbineNo. 5, a blank firing device 25 (FIGS. 6-8) is fixedly screwed on theweapon ahead of the flashguard 14.

One problem is that the blank firing device 25 rapidly becomesrelatively hot, for which reason the impact protection device mustwithstand high temperatures. In the choice of material and design andconstruction, the inventors have them taken as their point of departurethat the impact protection device must withstand a temperature of atleast 300° C.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, an impact protector 1 bwhich comprises two parts is included in the impact protection device.The first part constitutes a mechanically rigid inner part 18,hereinafter generally referred to as inner part 18. The other part is anelastic outer part 19, hereinafter generally referred to as outer part19. Both the inner and outer parts consist of heat-resistant material.

The inner part 18 is, in the illustrated example, of plastic, forexample a thermoplastic, and comprises two identical halves which areplaced over a blank firing device 25 disposed on the weapon in order tosurround it at least in a region most proximal the muzzle of the blankfiring device. The outer part 19 of plastic material is then passed onthe inner, harder part 18. The outer part 19 here forms a sleeve whichholds the inner part 18 in place. In design, construction and choice ofmaterial, it has thus been insured that the outer part 19 issufficiently elastic to be able to be passed on the inner part 18. Oncethe outer sleeve has arrived in place, the outer and inner parts formthe impact protector 1 b whose function corresponds to that previouslydescribed with reference to FIGS. 1-7.

The two halves which form the inner part 18 have been provided with pins34 a and holes 34 b in which the pins enter when the halves are laidtogether. The form of the inner part 18 is adapted so that it adheres tothe form of the blank firing device 25. The inner part 18 has a numberof heels 22, 23 which are turned to face towards the blank firing device25 when the inner part is placed on the blank firing device. It is onlythese heels 22, 23 which are in direct contact with the possibly hotblank firing device 25, otherwise there is an air gap between the innerpart 18 and the blank firing device 25. In the illustrated example, theinner part 18 is in contact with the blank firing device 25 in twelverestricted regions, i.e. there are twelve heels 22, 23.

In order to lead off heat, the inner part 18 has, in the illustratedembodiment, a mesh or grid-like design, but is mechanically rigid. Eachhalf which forms the inner part 18 has a number of rib-like elementswhich are oriented in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) ofthe device, and a number of rib-like elements which are orientedtransversely of the longitudinal direction (cross-wise). There may be,for example, three elements in the transverse direction and fiveelements in the longitudinal direction. In alternative embodiments, theinner part is more in the form of a shell with a large number ofairholes for leading off heat.

The outer part 19 is made of the same material as the impact protector 1a and has the same fundamental construction as the impact protector 1 afor firing with live ammunition in accordance with the foregoing. Theonly major difference, apart from the rigid lower part 18 is that theimpact-absorbing part 19 normally has no bottom corresponding to thatdescribed for the impact protector 1 a. When firing with blankammunition, no muzzle guard is needed.

The outer part 19 has been provided with grooves 24 a and flanges 24 bin order to provide better impact absorption and in order to savematerial. In a number of embodiments, the outer part 19 has a smoothsurface. In all embodiments, the thickness and elasticity of thematerial are selected analogous with that previously disclosed for theimpact protector 1 a so that impact is absorbed in a satisfactorymanner. The outer part 19 is designed such that the edge of its frontportion 29 lies a distance ahead of the front edge of the blank firingdevice 25, in order to absorb impacts which comes straight from infront.

The outer part 19 has two recesses 27 (FIG. 7) in register with eachother and which form projections 26 on the outside. In a plane which, incross-section, has been turned through 90° in relation to a plane whichpasses centrally through the recesses 27, the outer part 19 has recesses21 for receiving pins 20 provided on the outer surface of the inner part19. The pins 20 have been designed so that their upper surface inclinessomewhat forwardly in order to facilitate application of the outer part19. When the projections 26 are pressed, the outer part 19 is deformed,the recesses 21 disengaging from the pins 20 and the outer part 19 maybe taken off. Also when the outer part 19 is to be placed on the innerpart 18, the projections 26 are depressed. In such instance, it must beensured that the recesses 21 and the pins 20 are in register with eachother. The inner part 18 has guides 36 which project out from its outersurface and are intended to enter into grooves 35 in the inner surfaceof the outer part 19. This ensures correct orientation between the innerpart 18 and the outer part 19.

For dissipating heat, the outer part 19 is also provided with holes 28in certain embodiments. In the front portion, the outer part 19 is incontact with material in the inner part only at one or a few regions 37,whereby good ventilation will be obtained.

In the blank firing alternative, the impact protection device isnormally in place the whole time and is only removed for weapon care.

When the impact protection device is to be mounted in place for firingwith blank ammunition, the two identical halves which form the innerpart 18 are laid around the blank firing device 25. In such instance,the pins 34 a on the one half 18 will enter into holes 34 b in the otherhalf. Thereafter, the outer part 19 is passed on the inner, united part18 by pressing the projections 26, ensuring that the guides of the innerpart 18 enter into the grooves 35 of the outer part 19. The outer partis passed on so far that the pins 20 on the inner part 19 enter into therecesses 21 in the rear portion of the outer part 19. On removal of theimpact protection device, the projections 26 are pressed for lifting therecesses 21 of the outer part from the pins 20 of the inner part. It isthen possible to remove the outer part 19 and thereafter separate theinner part 18.

The above detailed description has referred to but a limited number ofembodiments of the present invention, but a person skilled in the artwill readily perceive that the present invention encompasses a largenumber of embodiments within the scope of the appended Claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An impact protection device for a firearmcomprising an impact protector removably mountable on the firearm, abracket mountable on the firearm and an elastic brace member connectingsaid impact protector and said bracket, said bracket including aretainer device which is shaped to receive and securely hold said impactprotector when said protector is removed from said firearm.
 2. Theprotection device of claim 1, wherein said impact protector has an outerpart of elastic material.
 3. The protection device of claim 2, whereinsaid impact protector includes flanges and recesses in an outer surfaceof said outer part.
 4. The protection device of claim 3, wherein saidimpact protector projects forwardly on said firearm when mountedthereon.
 5. The protection device of claim 4, wherein said impactprotector includes a stop for engaging the firearm to position saidimpact protector forwardly of said firearm when mounted thereon.
 6. Theprotection device of claim 1, wherein said impact member is adapted formounting on a barrel or a flashguard of the firearm, said impact memberincluding a bottom for covering an open end of the barrel or flashguard.7. The protection device of claim 6, wherein said bottom is in the formof a membrane.
 8. The protection device of claim 1, wherein said impactprotector has opposed projections with underlying recesses which areengageable to deform the impact protector to enable the protector to bemounted and dismounted on the firearm.
 9. The protection device of claim8, wherein said impact protector has inner spaced projecting lands tofacilitate mounting and dismounting of said impact protector on saidfirearm.
 10. The protection device of claim 1, wherein said brace memberis integrally secured at one end to said impact protector and detachableat an opposite end to said bracket.
 11. The protection device of claim10, wherein said bracket has an aperture in which said opposite end ofsaid brace member is engageable.
 12. The protection device of claim 12,wherein said bracket includes an arcuate portion for engaging around thefirearm, said arcuate portion being longitudinally open and flexible tosnap-engage on said firearm.
 13. The protection device of claim 12,wherein the arcuate portion of the bracket for engaging the firearmincludes a longitudinal rib for engaging the firearm.
 14. The protectiondevice of claim 1, wherein said retaining device of said bracketincludes a bend portion defining a clearance space in which said impactprotector is engageable.
 15. An impact protection device for a firearmcomprising an impact protector removably mountable on the firearm, saidimpact protector including a mechanically rigid inner part and anelastic outer part, said inner part being heat resistant and having airholes for cooling the inner part.
 16. The protection device of claim 15,wherein said inner part comprises two identical portions which aresecured together by pins and corresponding holes in said two identicalportions.
 17. The protection device of claim 15, wherein said outer partis slidable on the inner part for mounting and dismounting, said innerpart including pins which engage in recesses in said outer part when theouter part is slidably engaged on said inner part.
 18. The protectiondevice of claim 17, wherein said inner part includes guides for slidableengagement with grooves provided in said outer part.
 19. The protectiondevice of claim 15, wherein said inner part is mounted on a blank firingdevice of said firearm in direct contact in limited regions.
 20. Theprotection device of claim 19, wherein said inner part includes landsfor engaging the blank firing device in said limited regions.
 21. Theprotection device of claim 15, wherein said outer part has a forwardportion for engaging said inner part in a reduced region thereof. 22.The protection device of claim 15, wherein said outer part includes endprojecting portions which are engageable to slidably displace said outerpart relative to said inner part.